Data Visualization

Data Visualization

Palatine Public Library District Infographic

From Ashes to Hope in the City of Goma

​This data visualization was created after extensive research on the city of Goma in The Democratic Republic of the Congo. This city is home to many victims of extreme poverty. The task was given to me to present information about the area, its inhabitants and the difficulties they face with a theoretical objective of helping solve some small problem to help make quality of life better in some area of life for its inhabitants.

​On this board I began creating graphics that would easily convey information such as population, language, religion, exports and The DRC's place on the Human Development Index (HDI). I also made population density comparisons, a temperature and rainfall average graphic as well as terrain and wildlife reference points.

​On this board, I conveyed information on lifestyle, mortality rate and literacy rate. I also broke down into categories- health issues, ecological issues, sociological issues and political issues. After doing this, I drew lines between issues to show the viewer how almost all of the problems were interconnected.

​On this board, I broke down my chosen problem, gender inequality into three main categories which I broke down even further to relate the many problems that created these issues. This board has information on various groups that I studied that are making a difference for those affected by extreme poverty in other areas of Africa. I began to look at inexpensive, readily available materials that could possibly be used as a starting point for a solution to a problem in some small area of life for Goma's inhabitants. Ultimately, I chose the rock and ash that overwhelmed the city of Goma the last time Mt. Nyiragongo erupted in 2002. I listed the many industry uses for these raw materials.

​On this final panel, I mapped out a data visualization of a proposed plan and its basic implementation for the benefit of those living in Goma under conditions of extreme poverty. The product chosen is lava rock jewelry that once made and sold by the women would be a catalyst for change in the area of gender inequality. The women would be able to afford healthcare, education and would ultimately be able to take care of their families in some very necessary ways. The jewelry would not be a lifetime career, but more of a means to an end with a fund matching program that would help the women save seed money to become entrepreneurs in an area of their choice, much the way the BeadForLife non-profit in Uganda does.